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Faldon’s Five Thoughts: Petrino’s Passenger-Gate A Real Mess

Five thoughts on the University of Arkansas drama that exploded on Thursday …

1. It’s Not Specifically About The Affair

When the Arkansas State Police report was released Thursday, the reaction from a lot of people was “So what!?!” They weren’t concerned that Bobby Petrino had a woman who is not his wife on the back of his Harley Davidson motorcycle when he wrecked.

Then we learned the woman — Jessica Dorrell — is employed by the Arkansas athletics department as well. Specifically, she is working for the football team as the “student-athlete development coordinator.” In fact, she was hired — by Petrino — on March 28. So, basically, she was riding around with her boss. Looks bad, but looks can be deceiving.

But when Petrino admitted to not being totally forthcoming about the circumstances of the wreck because of a “previous inappropriate relationship” this turned into a serious mess. That puts a twist on this that wouldn’t be there if the passenger worked at a car dealership or was a waitress.

A friend directed me to the University of Arkansas Staff Handbook, which is online.

In section 3.6, the handbook states …

“When a consensual relationship exists between a student and a faculty member who has control over the student’s academic work or status or between an employee and his or her supervisor, the resulting conflict of interest should be addressed in accordance with university policies concerning conflict of interest.”

In the section about conflicts of interest, the handbook states …

“Situations that have the appearance of, potential for, or involve actual conflicts of interest or commitment must be reported in writing to the employee’s appropriate supervisor (i.e., department chair, dean, director, vice chancellor).”

Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long said he will conduct a thorough review of Petrino’s actions. The university’s legal team will certainly be involved thanks to the working relationship between the two. It’s possible his hands might be tied when it comes to Petrino’s employment status.

2. Did Petrino Really Think Nobody Would Find Out?

The wreck happened on Sunday. Petrino met with the media on Tuesday. Yet he didn’t tell Jeff Long about the passenger until Thursday. In fact, Petrino didn’t tell Long until about 20 minutes before the Arkansas State Police report was released.

He also appears to have not told his family about the passenger until Thursday either.

“My concern was to protect my family and a previous inappropriate relationship from becoming public,” Petrino said in his statement. “In hindsight, I showed a serious mistake in judgment when I chose not to be more specific about those details. Today I’ve acknowledged this previous inappropriate relationship with my family and those within the athletic department administration.”

Did Petrino think her name was going to be redacted from the police report? Really!?! Petrino doesn’t make many stupid mistakes, but thinking he could keep this all hush-hush certainly qualifies. (Getting into an “inappropriate relationship” in the first place is, of course, by far the dumbest move of all.)

3. What About Her?

Since her name was released, I’ve felt nothing but pity for Dorrell. She is engaged to another UA athletics department employee. They had an online wedding guest book that was ransacked by people making crude jokes at her expense.

While Petrino’s life has been forever changed, so has her life. I hope she can find some peace, but it will likely involve moving far, far, far away from Arkansas.

4. Long Crushed It

The biggest home run on MLB’s Opening Day was the one hit by the Arkansas athletics director.

Long hit all the right notes Thursday in a late-night news conference. It was an impressive performance in a situation no AD wants to endure.

5. What’s Next?

Were I betting man — and since Oaklawn’s Arkansas Derby is coming up, I am — I’d put money on Petrino coaching at Arkansas next season.

But not for all of the games. I suspect he will be suspended without pay for a game or two. He might even have to pay a substantial fine or get his salary slashed.

The problem, as some national pundits have noted, will be how Petrino recovers from this on the recruiting trail. This will be the No. 1 weapon every coach who is competing against Petrino for recruits will use. It might be a few years before we know the real impact this past week has had on UA football.